A Harvey Weinstein-inspired story is the top new DVD release for the week of April 28.
“The Assistant”: A young woman, Jane (Julia Garner), gets an exciting job as an assistant to an esteemed Hollywood producer. Those familiar with the systemic abuses of women in the workplace will recognize the story beats, inspired by Harvey Weinstein, who was convicted of rape and sentenced to 23 years in prison last month.
But there’s much more to the story than that. As Jane continues to learn about what’s going on at the company, the film shows how people, systems and power structures enable these types of abuses. It’s much, much bigger than one monster at the top.
Writer-director Kitty Green does a masterful job showing, not telling, this story, with silences more powerful than words could be, wrote Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review.
“At once austere and daring, ‘The Assistant’ may be the first cinematic shot across the bow at Weinstein, taking the structures that supported his crimes down with him,” she wrote.
Also new on DVD
“Arrow: The Eighth and Final Season”: The CW series following the DC hero comes to a close. Stars Stephen Amell.
“Guns Akimbo”: A game developer (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself in a livestreaming fight to the death.
“I Wish I Knew”: Documentary explores the history of and life in Shanghai. In Mandarin.
“Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge”: Based on the long-running video game series, the animated film follows a faceoff between the Outworld and Earthrealm. Features voice talents of Jennifer Carpenter and Joel McHale.
“The Rhythm Section”: A woman (Blake Lively) is determined to get revenge against the people who killed her family in a plane crash.
“Ride Like a Girl”: Jockey Michelle Payne (Teresa Palmer) aims to become the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup.
“Tread”: Documentary examines what led welder Marvin Heemeyer to decimate a small Colorado town.
New on digital HD
“The Incoherents”: An indie band from the ’90s gets back together after decades. Stars Jeff Auer, Annette O’Toole, Amy Carlson and Kate Arrington.
“The Photograph”: While a woman (Issa Rae) seeks answers about her recently deceased mother’s life, she falls for a journalist (LaKeith Stanfield). Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray May 12.
